Cal Bruton
Calvin Thomas Bruton, OAM (born 29 September 1954) is an American-born Australian former professional basketball player and coach. He has been an integral part of the National Basketball League (NBL) since its inception. Bruton won an NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets in 1985, was a two-time member of the All-NBL First Team while playing for the Geelong Supercats and was named NBL Coach of the Year while he was a player-coach for the Supercats in 1982. He also won a second NBL championship while coaching the Perth Wildcats in 1990. As a result, Bruton became one of the first inductees into the NBL Hall of Fame when it opened in 1998.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 September 1954 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Listed height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Listed weight | 80 kg (176 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Springfield Gardens (Queens, New York) |
| College | Wichita State (1972–1976) |
| NBA draft | 1976: undrafted |
| Position | Guard |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1979–1981 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 1982–1984 | Geelong Supercats |
| 1985–1986 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 1987–1989 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1992 | Hobart Devils |
| As coach: | |
| 1982 | Geelong Supercats |
| 1987–1988; 1990 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1996 | Hobart Devils |
| 1999–2003 | Canberra Cannons |
| 2007 | West Sydney Razorbacks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach: | |
Originally an American import, Bruton became a naturalised Australian in 1983. He renounced his American citizenship to play for the Australia men's national basketball team in 1986. Bruton's son, C. J., played in the NBL and became successful in his own right.